Adam hoping to emulate pal Iain

Adam MacKenzie (left) lands a blow on Gary Reeves in his first professional contest. (Pic: Mary Jane Photography).

Published:12:40Thursday 27 February 2014

Share this article

Motherwell boxer Adam Mackenzie hopes to emulate the success of former school mate Iain Butcher after winning his debut pro fight.

The flyweight, who trains with Stevie Newns of Newarthill ABC out of the Mosshall Gym, beat Gary Reeves in Wishaw on points after returning to the ring following a two year absence due to injury.

He said: “I was at Forgewood as an amateur and won West District, and Scottish Youth titles, a British silver and represented Scotland.

“However, having taken the best part of two years out due to the two broken ankles and a broken hand there was nothing left for me to do in the amateurs so decided to turn professional.

“I had a few options to consider, but as Alex Morrison has Ricky Burns in his camp I decided to go with him.

“It was slightly unusual to be put up against another debutant, which made him a bit of an unknown quantity, but I knew he was coming up here to win.

“I was a little nervous beforehand, but once I got going I knew that being professional was going to suit me as I like the longer rounds and not having the headgear made me feel free.”

Mackenzie and WBO European champion Butcher attended Braidhurst together and the newcomer would be delighted if they one day stepped in the ring together.

He said: “Iain has been a professional for a while now and has done really well for himself.

“He is the European champion and is going for the British title and that is something for me to look up to and aspire to.

“It would be a long way off, but who knows if I progress the right way then maybe one day we will be facing each other.”

Meanwhile, Newarthill ABC had five medal winners at the Scottish Western District Boxing Championships held at Ashgil Leisure Centre.

Gold was won by Chris McCluskey, who stepped up in weight to compete in the 60kg 1997 youth category, Steven Newns in the 60kg 1998 junior category and Dylan Arbuckle in the 46kg 1998 junior category title for the fourth year in a row.

Schoolboy boxers Ryan Carlin and Martin Crossan both won silvers at 38kg and 42kg respectively.

Butcher himself will be back in the ring on Friday as he takes on Valentin Marinov at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.

Also in action will be Viewpark welterweight Michael McGurk as he takes on William Warburton, having won his debut with a 21-second knock out.

Making their professional debuts are Forgewood light-middleweight Lee Gallagher and Bellshill’s light-welterweight JP McGuinness.